Romney to the Rescue?

ABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: With the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeting 12 House Republicans over their opposition to the stimulus package, former governor Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is trying to play rescuer. Today his Free and Strong America PAC announced that it was sending $1,000 checks to 11 of those 12 targeted Republicans. (The 12th is not running for reelection.) Romney said in a statement: “What Republicans wanted was a bill to strengthen the economy. What the Democrats passed was a bill to stimulate government. We are committed to helping these courageous Republicans defend their position and fend off political attacks.” As we see potential 2012ers stake their positions on the stimulus — think of the battle among governors over whether to accept dollars with open arms — this looks like a neat (and relatively cheap) piece of political positioning. It also highlights the fact that, despite President Obama’s statement today that there is “ample time for campaigns down the road,” the campaigning never really ended — on either side.